4.5 stars
Dead Perfect was another fast paced, gripping read from one of my go to crime writers. I’m a huge fan of this series and have really enjoyed following Maggie throughout the books as she’s an incredibly strong, competent lady who is always great to read about. This time, however, the focus is on Kate and it was great to get to know another character from the team a little better. I think it’s fair to say Kate goes through the mill in this book as she tries to keep Maggie from harm whilst also trying to find the person responsible. It was quite poignant at times to see what she was going through and it made me warm to her quickly to see how much she obviously cared about Maggie. The wonderful relationship the team enjoy with each other was lovely to see and often helped bring some light relief to the story.

The story unfolds at a great pace with plenty of twists that kept me guessing until the end. Just when I thought I had figured it out, something would happen that sent the story off in a completely new direction! This is quite a dark story in places with some quite cruel and shocking moments which might not be to everyone’s taste but didn’t feel forced so were in keeping with the type of book this is.

The book ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the next installment in this fabulous series which just keeps getting better and better. This is the third book in the series and while it could probably be read as a standalone it is probably best to read the books on order.

Huge thanks to Sarah from BOTBS publicity for inviting me onto the blog tour and to One More Chapter for my copy of this book via Netgalley. This series is a must read for all crime fiction fans!

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. One More Chapter for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Dead Perfect’ by Noelle Holten in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third in Holten’s series of police procedurals featuring D.C. Maggie Jamieson. I haven’t read Book 2, ‘Dead Wrong’, (yet!) in which Maggie returned to the Major and Organised Crime Department in Stafford following her secondment to the Domestic Abuse Homicide Unit. However, background is provided for readers new to the series or who like me read out of order.

The body of a young woman has been discovered in a local park. She has been disfigured, her hair dyed black and she is dressed in a Goth style outfit. DC Maggie Jamieson is shocked as the victim resembles someone that she knows well - her close friend Dr Kate Moloney.

Maggie is determined to keep her friend safe, especially as Kate has previously attracted a threatening stalker. Maggie now fears that Kate’s life is in real danger. Then another body similarly replicating Kate’s appearance turns up. Are the stalker and murderer the same person? Or is Kate just this unlucky?

Complicating the situation is that Maggie is struggling with her feelings for Kate and uncertain whether they are reciprocated.

This proved a well plotted crime thriller that ticked all my boxes with respect to what I look for in a police procedural including well developed characters whose well being matters to me. It kept me on the edge of my seat while I was trying to figure out not only whodunnit but their motive.

The final chapter contains a dramatic taster for the next book in the series. I can hardly wait!

I really wanted to read this book because I very much enjoy Noelle Holten’s writing – she’s created an excellent central cast of characters, with intriguing and believable links and relationships between them, and the pace of her storytelling leaves me breathless. I will admit though that I was initially a tad disappointed that the sock to the gut at the end of the last book wasn’t sustained just a little longer – it’s not that I have anything against Kate Moloney, but the blurb had already given away the answer to that “is the body really her?” question.

But I soon got over that. The story that unfolds, the resemblance to Kate of the first and subsequent victims so well done, steadily cranking up the tension as the action moves in short snappy chapters between the struggling investigation team and the glimpses of the perpetrator doing his thing. As I don’t read many crime dramas, I was surprised to find that I identified the killer quite early on – I was actually quite pleased with myself! – but his motivation was what brought all the shocks and surprises.

Again though, what I really love about the author’s writing is her character development. I felt I knew Maggie fairly well by now, her immense pride in doing her job to the best of her abilities by crossing every “T” and dotting every “i”, but also following her well developed instincts. This case is rather closer to home and her heart though, and there are times when her judgement becomes clouded and she’s dangerously near the edge of behaving badly – and reacts particularly badly to being told she’s doing so, which felt entirely true to her character.

While I enjoyed again her working relationship with her DS and former colleague Nathan and with her DI, and her intriguing treading-on-eggshells relationship with Kate, there were two other characters that really drew my eye in this book. One was – perhaps most obviously – newspaper hack Julie, with a nice frenemies future storyline in the making despite the initial animosity between them. The other was PC Bethany Lambert, rather taken advantage of, always reliably in the background, picking up all the necessary and mundane tasks to back up the investigation – goodness, there really were times when it might have been better if she was running the show.

As before, the whole story is enhanced by the authenticity of those interactions between the different agencies – and the convincing feel of a real investigation in progress. I’ll say again (because it’s worth saying twice) that the way the story is told is excellent, taut and compelling – I’ll admit that I raced through it in a single sitting, and enjoyed it immensely (well, maybe except for a few of the more gruesome bits – but I am a bit of a wuss…). If all serial killer thrillers were reliably this good, I might read them rather more often – this was a winner for me, and highly recommended.

This is definitely the creepiest of the three books so far. When a body is found in a park wearing clothes similar to those worn by Maggie's friend Kate, the hunt begins to catch the killer before he gets to Kate. this is a great psychological profile of the mind of a serial killer and his search for a 'living doll'. Noelle puts her background in the probation service to good use making for authentic detail but it is the warped mind of a killer that will stay with you. Hauntingly realistic but makes for a nail-biting read.

Dead Perfect is my first book by the author and although it’s the third in the series, I don’t think I’ve missed much because the author has made a good job in the character development throughout this book and we can easily see what kind of person is our main heroine, DC Maggie Jamieson.

A smart and quirky detective, very determined to catch the killer’s and also very sympathetic friend, especially with her long-time partner in crime, Kate.

The book starts off slow for me but it picks up quick and it’s interesting to see how such a gruesome incident is becoming more than her job to put an end but it gets personal as her past and present are challenged and there are moments when she doubts herself .

There are many twists, some predictable, some a bit unrealistically for me and some unexpected moments that kept me guessing and wanting to know more and see how everything will unfold.

Because of the way the crimes were committed, my mind was immediately transported to an older CIS episode that I remember so vividly after over ten years since I’ve seen it first because it felt creepy and to read something similar gave me goosebumps.

Overall, it’s a good mystery and crime story that many people will enjoy.

I feel as if I was one of those lucky people who knew about Noelle from the start and I was lucky enough to be on the blogtour for her last book as well! I just adore this series and as soon as I got my hands on this book I devoured it in one day it was that good. It has an ability to ramp up the tension from the outset as Maggie is called to a murder scene where the victim looks scarily like her friend and colleague Dr Kate Moloney. From there is doesn’t really let go until you read that final sentence and breathe a sigh of contentment.

‘Dead Perfect’ builds upon the storyline of Kate’s stalker / admirer from the previous books. All the victims resemble Kate and Maggie is insanely worried that this killer links back to Kate’s stalker. At times it feels as if Maggie was hitting her head against a brick wall and I was internally screaming ‘listen to Maggie you idiots!!!!’. She might not always do things in the best manner but her intuition is spot on and hopefully her team will realise that.

The plot in this one still haunts me for some reason. I first read this book way back in May when it was first sent out to us and it’s crept into that little box in my mind where the scariest plots live! It’s all about how one person’s fascination can destroy lives. I loved how the probation service was involved still. I feel if you want to be a crime writer at the moment you need to have worked in probation what with Noelle and Mike Craven having worked together and emerging at the same time! Sign me up for a job there. However, a lot of crime books do forget that contact and collaboration with the probation service would actually form part of an investigation and not just for the registered sex offenders.

I have come to see releases by Noelle as an event in my reading schedule. I love her books and I love Maggie as a character! I honestly can’t wait for the next one. Also you are an idiot if you don’t read this book, just saying 🤣

Fast-paced, gritty and chilling to the end – Dead Perfect is a book that packs a punch, with its twists and turns and sinister moves of a stalker.
Thanks One More Chapter/Harper Collins for providing me with the book and for Sarah Hardy for later, inviting me to join the blog tour.
Full Review:
A tapping sound, a hammer and a video makes an intriguing prologue.
The Major and Organised Crime Department at Stafford Police Station is where DC Maggie Jamieson is in active service and in comes a sinister case that could be so close to home for her and the team, with a stalker on the loose. The writing is impactful and emotional, as well as compelling and believable as it twists from as early on from the first couple of chapters.

The team solving the case are likeable, especially Nathan and his protective nature.

When it comes to the culprit, there is edge of your seat, atmophere, as the tension builds, as does the case. It also has an air of creepiness about it. This is powerful writing of a stalker’s harrowing and spine-tingling activities.

There is also Lucy Sherwood, who has completed her probation at Markston and is an agency Probation Officer who is opening a refuge for men and women. She also feeds into the case as well, in a practical sense and both her story and the case all come together rather seemlessly and naturally. The author has evidently used some of her own background when writing about Lucy Sherwood, which enhances the character.

There’s the question of whether the stalker and murderer are one of the same person or if both cases are not linked at all. It’s a book that keeps you guessing!
There is also the question of the press being involved that adds to the intrigue.

It’s quite edgy and graphic in nature, but in a realistic sense of being tied-up, which then becomes absorbing, with a need to find out what happens next and who will be caught and who will survive and how people are connected as evidence is pieced together, but there are twists and turns within this as well.

It is captivating as the behaviours of the stalker are discussed and as the colleagues try to work it out and also recall a historic serial killer. There seems to be a lot for readers to get stuck into in this book and all is detailed with what needs to be done to protect the officers as much as possible about each part of the case to catch the criminal, but still, Noelle Holten manages to keep everything pointing in the same direction of attempting to solve the case and keep it all gripping and chilling to the very end.

Continuing on from the shocking conclusion of the previous book Dead Wrong,we follow Maggie and Nathan as they race to the location of a woman's dead body. We read,with bated breath as Maggie approaches and enters the crime scene tent, does the body belong to Maggie's friend Kate? we wait and then..... the enormous feeling of relief when we and Maggie discover that it's not Kate but some other unfortunate woman who has been murdered by someone who is obviously very twisted and disturbed. Someone who, for reasons known only to themselves has altered the victims appearance so that they look exactly like Kate. It's obvious to Maggie that Kate's life is in grave danger, could the killer be the same person who was stalking Kate in the previous book? Had the police been mistaken when they hadn't taken Kate's statements seriously? Unfortunately, the lack of concern for victims of stalking is a very realistic scenario. There have been real life cases where victims have reported their stalkers to the police, their stalker has been interviewed and been so cunning, manipulative and convincing that the police have believed that they are innocent and actually charged the victim with wasting police time. The Stalker then goes on to murder the victim, the police release the usual lessons will be learned statement and everyone apart from the victims loved one carry on living their lives as if nothing had happened. Maggie and the team find themselves in a desperate race against time to uncover the the identity of a cunning killer before he gets the opportunity to capture the object of his desire. But Maggie's close friendship with Kate and her fears over her friends safety are affecting Maggie's objectivity and her ability to do her job to the best of her abilities. Plus there appears to be a atmosphere between Maggie and Nathan who normally have a close working relationship. Then the team find themselves under pressure when details of the investigation start being leaked to the press. With a air of suspicion that had a aroma that is worse than the aroma of the horrible station coffee hanging around the office,the last thing that Maggie needs is to be contacted by a irritating person from her past. Someone who caused her a lot of problems during one of Maggie's previous cases. So who is the living doll killer? Why was he so obsessed with Kate? Will Maggie be able to keeper friend safe and uncover the killer's identity or will Kate become the killer's latest living doll?

OMg,this fantastic series just gets better with each new addition. Like the previous two books Dead Inside and Dead Wrong, Dead Perfect is a extremely well written police procedural but I think that with this, the third book in the series, the author has excelled herself. This is a tightly plotted, page turner that keeps the reader glued to their kindle and frantically turning the pages. The killer was seriously sinister and twisted and the way that the author came up with his name was ingenious. I mean, how many people would think of connecting a hit song by the living legend Cliff Richard and the crimes of a notorious American serial killer. This series has a incredible cast of recurring characters, people that the reader enjoys getting to know and spending their reading time with. The stories are intelligently written and very informative, the author uses her background in the probation service to its full capacity. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this incredible series to readers who enjoy reading dark and gritty thrillers and can't wait to find out what the author has in store for Maggie in book 4.

Thanks to Sarah Hardy at Books on the Brightside for a place on the blog tour and for a copy of the book. As always it’s a pleasure to be involved.

Some authors just punch you right in the feels and Noelle Holton just keeps on living up to that reputation with every book she releases. When the invitation to join the blog tour for the next DC Maggie Jamieson adverture, Dead Perfect, landed in my email inbox, there was no chance I was going to pass up on it. Reading Dead Perfect was like meeting up with a best friend that you haven’t seen in months and it’s comforting to know that Holton will ease you through the story with grace because she is one author that knows exactly what she is doing.

Maggie Jamieson has been around the block a few times. A few knocks and dents on her confidence hasn’t stopped her from turning up and getting the job done. When we meet her for the third time, she’s out of her mind with worry – a body has turned up in a park and the resemblance to her friend, Dr Kate Moloney is quite frankly, uncanny. Maggie’s mind is on red alert – Dr Moloney has been targeted by stalker, is it possible that they could have gone rouge and killed someone? Maggie’s worried but that certainly doesn’t mean her mind is off the game, quite the opposite. She’s determined and her attention to detail is sharper than ever.

Dead Perfect doesn’t hesitate on delving into the dark and depraved and Maggie Jamieson is more than equipped at dealing with this type of person. She has skills that goes over and above what she has been taught by the police. She can solve riddles and puzzles with a laterally universal mind. Regular people just can’t keep up with her detective prowress. She can often appear aloof to some of her work colleagues, but I genuinely believe she is just a super intense but confident female that just has her whole being set on catching the bad guy.

The case in Dead Perfect is personal and harrowing for Maggie but that makes her determined to divert the course that our delightful serial killer seems focussed on making a reality. The integration of multiple different departments working alongside the main investigating team is a nice realistic touch and I’d be surprised to find an author that knows more about the criminal mind and processes of policing than Noelle Holton. She certainly knows just how to weave a web of brutal and broken psyches.

It’s a known fact that I’m an avid reader of mostly British crime so sometimes it can become jaded and forced through until its completion but that’s not how Holton plays the game. The research is authentic, we have a storyline with genuine, hard graft and legwork, misdirection and suspects that need cracking. We have the rare human side displayed in crime and we see emotions taking over for both Maggie and Kate and we, as readers, are reminded of the stark reality that these are human beings that we are reading about. They feel and bleed, just like us.

Dead Perfect just proves why Noelle Holton is quickly becoming the queen of British crime. The prose contained is simply incandescent and she has created characters that will stay with you long after the book has concluded. She exudes a visceral skill for storytelling.

Where do I start? This book has it all. Murder, stalking, personality clashes, flirting….

As with Dead Wrong, I picked up the story where its predecessor left off and in this book’s case, with a dead body. This (what I think) is a rather unique factor that Holten has developed leaves you wanting for the next book. Oh boy, I couldn’t wait for Dead Perfect – leaving me with a dead body of what appears to be a main character is a killer hook!! I can’t tell you how relieved I was to read the first few chapters and find out the doctor has survived this … but would she survive Dead Perfect??

I was on tenterhooks throughout. Why was this lunatic stalking Kate? Why was he making other look just like her?? This crazed individual really got my nerves on edge. But the chapters dedicated to this slightly unhinged person seem so calm and I got the impression this was normal for him … so why did I get the impression he was delusional in a major way??!

This third novel from Holten definitely hits all the right buttons for this crime fiction fan. The twists and the turns kept me guessing from beginning to end … Maggie Jamieson is a character I want to keep appearing on my kindle again and again… Dead Perfect is a sterling addition to this series!!

This is my first book by Noelle Holten but surely won’t be the last.
Although it can be read as a stand-alone I think I would have benefited from having read the previous ones which is something I will be doing soon.

The book is fast paced and the reader can have both the perspective of the killer and of the police force! The characters are likeable and I enjoyed Maggie and her tenacity. I loved to see the relationship between the teams and thought the plot was really good!

There were a couple of little things that were a bit inconsistent but I was so intrigued in the mystery and action of the book that they really didn’t bother me or made any difference to the novel in general.

I can’t wait for the next book and definitely will keep an eye out for Noelle Holten previous books too!!

I would like to thank Netgalley, Bookouture and Noelle Holten for the opportunity to read and advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary advance reader copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This is the first book I have read in the DC Maggie Jamieson series; but it is the third book in that series. I did not feel that I had to have read the previous books to enjoy this book, I had no problem understanding the previous storylines, although I now plan on reading the previous books because I enjoyed this one so much.

DC Jamieson is tasked with finding a killer before he gets to a friend of hers when they discover a body that had been made to pol like her friend and colleague, Kate who has been reserving disturbing letters and gifts from an unknown stalker. When a second body shows up, Maggie gets more than concerned; but can they trace this killer and is he closer than she thinks he is?

I enjoyed the story and the twists and turns were excellent. I liked the interaction between Maggie and the other characters and the ending was satisfying. I cannot wait to see where this series goes in the next book as it ends on a cliff hanger set-up for the next book.

Dead Perfect is the third instalment in the DC Maggie Jamieson Thriller series and is undoubtedly the most gruesome and grisly of the series yet. It isn't necessary to have read the preceding instalments before diving into this one as each has a self-contained plot and enough backstory is given about Maggie and the peripheral characters to bring new readers up to speed. The book begins with two teenagers discovering a body in the local park, and when Maggie is called in to investigate she is rocked to her core; the victim is the spitting image of one of her closest friends, Dr Kate Moloney. The crime scene sends the fear of God into her as she wonders if someone is trying to mess with her, and if so, why? She soon comes to the realisation that the victim has been dressed in a completely different style to what she would have normally worn; the girl has been decked out in Goth chic by the perpetrator and this somehow reminds Maggie that Kate is currently being stalked by a creepy guy who repeatedly sends her unwanted, anonymous gifts and bizarre letters. Maggie, being a veteran detective of over a decade, believes the real target is her best friend, Kate, and as a result switches the investigation into high gear.

This is a riveting, disturbing and truly gritty read from a writer who really understands the mind, psychology and behaviours of warped individuals having worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years, covering cases of domestic violence and abuse and who also has a Masters in Criminology. This helps make the plot feel pleasingly authentic and more hard-hitting. Maggie, however, becomes a little too big for her boots in this instalment and she is quite angry and often unable to keep her emotions in check which is very odd for someone carrying out important police work. Usually, it would be a conflict of interest to be the lead investigator on a case you feel is related to a friend, but Maggie is reluctant to hand it over to someone who could be a little more level headed and less motivated by emotion. It will be interesting to see exactly where her personality heads on the upcoming episodes as at least she's not stereotypical of every other protagonist Detective. It's well written, intelligently plotted and full of twists and turns with red herrings galore. If you enjoyed the previous two books this one is even more gripping. Highly recommended. Many thanks to One More Chapter for an ARC.

Dead Perfect is the third book in the DC Maggie Jamieson series set in Staffordshire. This one picks up where the previous one left us on a cliffhanger, but it is a new case so you could easily get into this without having read the previous ones - there are ongoing relationships between the characters and this plot began in that book with Kate being stalked, but you get enough backstory for this to make sense. Overall this was a rather formulaic and predictable serial killer/police procedural which was easy to read but doesn’t bring anything new to a very overcrowded genre.

Having just been informed that her friend and secret crush, forensic psychologist Dr Kate Moloney, may have been found dead in a park, Maggie rushes to the scene, and is both relieved to discover that it’s not her, but horrified to learn that the victim has had her appearance changed to ressemble Kate. Letters found in the young woman’s home are identical to those that Kate has been receiving, indicating that the killer must be her stalker. Desperate to keep her friend close, Maggie persuades her to move into her house, and hopes that they might become more than friends. Can Maggie keep her safe while stopping the killer from taking someone else instead - and how does he manage to stay one step ahead of the police?

Unfortunately I didn’t like Maggie as a character - she’s impulsive, arrogant and egotistical, can’t take criticism and has no idea about professional boundaries. As with the last book, it makes no sense to me that she would be virtually leading a serial killer investigation - no matter how understaffed they are, such cases are rare and they just wouldn’t leave someone so junior in charge, especially when they know about her connection to the likely next target. Also don’t get me started on the implausibility of a detective being involved in three serial killer cases within a couple of years, even if they were all very different in nature. Kate also frustrated me with her careless disregard for her own safety even when she knows she’s at risk. My other big issue was that I guessed who the killer within the first 10% of the book - although not his motivation. I kept hoping to be proved wrong, but alas it was just too obvious.

On the plus side, Holten writes well, and this book was better paced than the last one, building to a tense race to save a major character - although is the outcome ever really in doubt? It ends on another cliffhanger although as before this serves to lead into the next book rather than leaving this story incomplete so it didn’t bother me as much as some reviewers. I found the parts where Maggie catches up with her friends in the Probation Service the most interesting, probably because this is the author’s background so she’s on firmer ground in that area.

This was not overly gruesome although what the perpetrator does to his victims is pretty awful. This time there were two cats for me to worry about but fortunately neither is threatened this time. I think anyone who enjoyed the last book will like this just as much, especially if you haven’t already read too much British Crime Fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review, although the formatting was very disappointing with no breaks between chapters which often made the narrative hard to follow. I’m sure this will be corrected for the final version.
Dead Perfect is published today.

Maggie is back in this the 3rd book in the series, on balance I would say it is better to have read the first 2 as there is a lot of things ‘gone on before’ ( although a stand alone read is possible )
This time we have a serial killer/stalker on the loose and their main objective it seems is to kidnap Maggie’s friend and colleague Kate
It is a whodunit and the book is based on various characters and who it may be ( with plenty of red herrings ) plus police procedural and as with the first 2 books this was not boring ( as I find can be ) but engaging and with the authors obvious knowledge of ‘what goes on’ re Probation and other services there is always a good insight into these departments
I liked the inclusion of the risks of Social Media in the story and although only a small part was enlightening and I also liked the inclusion of Maggies emotions re her sexuality and her feelings on this
The story was quick to progress and no ‘stale chapters’ as the action pretty much started immediately until the conclusion ( I did guess who it was but that didnt matter to me as I am never 100% sure and feel pleased when am right 😁)
My worry is Maggie, she was fiesty now she is abrupt and often rude, aggressive even in her dealings with everyone and this didn’t build on my ‘liking her’ from the first 2 books, I hope she loses a bit of that when she is in back in Book 4, which judging by the ending looks to be another great thriller on its way

8/10
4 Stars

DC Maggie Jamieson as written by Noelle Holten, juggles several crime investigations at one time, as do true DC investigators. This is book #3 in this series. While each book can be read as a stand alone, there is a common thread that runs through all three that adds to the over all story arcs as they move forward. They are also all three great reads, so there is quite a bit to be gained by reading all three. DC Jamieson and her supporting characters are well developed, you'd recognize them on the street, and the community surrounding these mysteries is well defined. Holten gives the back stories a three dimensional treatment so the tension ratchets up when one of them is threatened.

The book starts with a murder, an unusual scene has been set by the murderer with his goal a threat to one of the main characters in the book. If you read the second book, it ended with a call to a murder scene....this one. As a very creepy stalker has now escalated to murder, the race is on to stop him before he kills again. Clues and twists follow, leaving readers anxiously turning pages to find out what happens next.

This series has been excellent reading so far and with the characters and community involved, there is no reason to believe it will not continue to grow as the stories evolve. Excellent read all the way around.

Dead perfect. A dead body in a park. A dead body with a perfect resemblance to Dr. Kate Moloney. Kate’s friend DC Maggie Jamieson has been called to investigate and is soon mired in a complex puzzle involving stalking, obsession and murder.

A stalker has been sending notes professing love and making mild threats. Kate is not taking this seriously until a second victim, disfigured and dressed to resemble Kate, is discovered. Maggie and her team must protect Kate without knowing where the threat is coming from. The Living Doll Killer, as he is called by newspapers, stays one step ahead of Maggie. Can she find him before Kate is his next victim?

What a great read! This is a spoiler free review so I’ve had to leave a lot out and…wow! This multilayered, character driven mystery is a must read! The story is told by different narrators. One is the killer and his voice helps the reader understand his motivation. While Dead Perfect is part of a series, it works as a standalone thriller. I can’t wait for the next in this addictive series! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Noelle Holten for this ARC.

Another brilliant read in the Maggie Jamieson series.
After the cliff hanger at the end of the second book I was keen to read this one to find out what happened next.
Kate Moloney wonders why people are relieved to see her and when she sees Maggie she finds out why.
The killer is dressing his victims to look like Kate - but why?
Maggie persuades Kate to stay with her as the letters and gifts she’s received indicate the killer is after her.
Another body is found, again dressed to look like Kate and she starts to become more worried.
It’s a tricky case to solve for the team with not many leads and so frustrations are running high.
We get an insight into the killer’s mind and it’s clear he’s not a well man.
The story builds to a breath taking conclusion and I loved it!
A gripping crime thriller that I highly recommend.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I have read the first book in this series, somehow missed the second and picked up on book three, which is just being released. The second book had finished on a bit of a cliff hanger but it was really easy to put the missing pieces in place seamlessly. This story is based around Dr Kate Moloney, who has appeared in all three books.

DC Maggie Jamieson has over time developed a friendship with Moloney but it does seem to be very one-sided, with Moloney not quite wanting the intensity that Jamieson would like. Moloney is quite a closed book where her past is concerned and not some-one that will open up to people. I loved her individuality, her confidence and style, she is quite a mystery.

There is a killer on the loose who is on a mission and the local population is on a sharp decline as he increases his need to achieve perfection while keeping his eyes on the main prize. The chapters that he appears in are disturbing as he definitely sees the scenes in front of him very differently to the true reality. A very memorable character yet one that blends in society without being noticed.

Jamieson is definitely walking a fine line where work ethics and friendship are concerned. Being emotionally involved fuzzes her thinking at times. Just how far will she go?

I really enjoyed this story, I felt connected to how the characters were feeling, even the killer. It also made me think about just how far the ripple of something like this can go, affecting so many lives than just those physically involved.

I wish to thank the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

DC Maggie Jamieson #3

A young womans body is found in a park. She has been disfigured and her outfit has been changed to make her look like someone else. Someone DC Maggie Jamieson knows only too well, her close friend Dr Kate Moloney. Maggie will do anything to keep her friend safe. Kate is already struggling with a threatening stalker. Maggie fears Katie's life is in real danger.

This is a fast paced read that's full of twists and suspense. I did guess early on who the villian was. The lengths he goes to to catch his victim is quite disturbineg. There were parts of the story that were utterly unbelievable. Overall, this is an interesting read with a cliffhangers at the end.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #NoelleHolten for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.